La Mauricie National Park

La Mauricie (French: Parc national de la Mauricie) is a national park in the Mauricie region, in Quebec, Canada. Its mission is to protect a representative sample of the Laurentians.

The Pines Island (Île aux pins) in the middle of Lake Wapizagonke

Understand

The park is north of Trois-Rivières and near Shawinigan in the Laurentian mountains, in the Mauricie region. It covers 536 km² (207 sq mi) in the southern Canadian Shield region bordering the Saint Lawrence lowlands. The park has 150 lakes and many ponds.

The park is named after the nearby Saint-Maurice River to the east of the park. The Matawin River flows along the western and northern borders of the park.

Unlike other Canadian national parks, no dogs are permitted.

• Parks Canada, ☏ +1 819-538-3232, toll-free: +1 888-773-8888, information@pc.gc.ca. 

Hours of operation

Winter Season 2017-2018: Saint-Jean-des-Piles Entrance every day from December 9, 2017 to April 1, 2018

Summer Season 2018: Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc Entrance: every day from May 17 to October 8, 2018

History

The earliest human remains in the park date from between 7000 and 3000  BCE. The 34 “protohistoric” archeological sites suggest that Native Americans who frequented the park lived in small family groups. A cliff of Lake Wapizagonke has some of the few North American cave paintings preserved from that era, which testify to the spirituality of ancient Native Americans. Until the 17th century, the Attikamekw and Algonquian peoples respectively lived by trapping and hunting in the northern and southern basins of the Saint-Maurice River. The Abenaki used the park area in the middle of the 19th century for hunting and trade.

At the beginning of the 19th century, European Canadians began logging the area, cutting white and red pines for lumber. This lasted until 1925, when trees of good diameter became scarce. The forest industry then turned instead to wood for paper, which made the Mauricie one of the largest producers of newspaper for the first half of the 20th century. In addition to logging, the industry greatly altered the balance of forests by planting the white spruce across 426 hectares (1,050 acres) and causing forest fires in 1910 and 1954.

Cottage Wabenaki

At the end of the 19th century, rich American tourists settled in the area and opened private hunting and fishing clubs. The park was created on August 21, 1970. The Wabenaki and Andrew lodges, properties of Laurentian Club, located on the edge of lac à la Pêche (Lake of Fisheries), were acquired by Parks Canada in 1972 and were converted into dormitories and rooms for visitors.

Landscape

The park contains 150 lakes and many ponds. The park lies within the Eastern forest-boreal transition ecoregion. The forests in this region were logged from the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century. The park's forests have regrown and contain a mixture of conifers and mixed deciduous trees.

Flora

Fall colours in the path of Lake Gabet

The park lies within the Eastern forest-boreal transition ecoregion. The forests in this region were logged from the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century. The park's forests have regrown and contain a mixture of conifers and mixed deciduous trees.

The park contains more than 440 species of vascular plants 68 species of lichens and more than 85 species of mosses. The park also has 27 species of rare plants or special interest.

Forest covers 93% of the territory. It is at the northern treeline leafyes Quebec. There are 30 species of different trees. The park is part of habitat ranges from maple to yellow birch (Acer saccharum and Betula papyrifera), which occupies the illuminated slopes and well-drained soils. The Balsam firs (Abies balsamea) and the pine (Pinus sp) and spruces (Picea sp) occupy the rocky cliffs and wetlands. It includes an endangered species, the butternut (Juglans cinerea).

Fauna

Wildlife in the park includes moose, black bears, beavers and otters. It supports a small number of wood turtles, rare in Canada. At least 50 species of mammals inhabit the park, such as the coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), lynx (lynx canadensis), moose (Alces alces), black bear (Ursus americanus), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and cinereus shrew (Sorex cinereus). Of these, 2 are Artiodactyla, 13 carnivores, 16 rodents, 8 bats, 10 insects and 1 lagomorph. One species that is considered endangered is the eastern wolf (Canis lyacaon).

There are also over 180 species of birds, including at least 81 nesting species. Among these there are 12 species of raptors and 34 species of aquatic birds. Coniferous forests are frequented by ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), the Tennessee warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina), the Nashville warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), the magnolia warbler (Dendroica magnolia), the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), the grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) and the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). Mixed forests are occupied by the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and the purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus). The ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), the black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), the veery (Catharus fuscescens), the red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), the eastern wood pewee (Contopus virens) and the sapsucker (Sphyrapicus various) inhabit the hardwood forests. The most common raptors observed are (Pandion haliaetus) the broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus), the barred owl (Strix varia) and the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). Aquatic areas servs as nesting habitat for the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), the merganser (Mergus merganser), the black duck (Anas rubripes) and finally the common loon (Gavia immer), which is the emblem of the park. The park includes eight species at risk, the whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus), the nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), the chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica), the olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), the Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus).

The park includes only five species of reptiles: the wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and three species of snake, including the garter (Thamnophis sirtalis). It is also attended by fourteen species of amphibians including six salamanders and eight frogs. One species, the wood turtle is considered endangered.

Most lakes have a relatively poor fish fauna due to the youth of the country. The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is most commonly found, especially in the north of the park. The Isaiah, the French and the Bérubé are found at lower altitudes, where lakes have the greatest biodiversity, as well as populations of stickleback(Pungitius pungitius) and spoonhead sculpin (Cottus ricei). The lakes also have the only French population of char (Salvelinus alpinus) of the park. This population was threatened by the introduction at the beginning of the century of several invasive fish species, such as chub (Semotilus atromaculatus). 19 species of fish have been introduced by humans over the 19th and 20th centuries.

Climate

Months	Normal	Warmest	Coldest
January	-14.4°C	-8.3°C	-20.4°C
February	-12.3°C	-5.5°C	-19.2°C
March	-4.6°C	1.8°C	-11.1°C
April	3.6°C	9.6°C	-2.6°C
May	10.7°C	17.5°C	3.9°C
June	16.4°C	23.2°C	9.4°C
July	18.9°C	25.5°C	12.3°C
August	17.7°C	23.7°C	11.6°C
September	12.6°C	18.1°C	6.9°C
October	6.3°C	10.9°C	1.7°C
November	-1.1°C	2.6°C	-4.8°C
December	-10.9°C	-5.9°C	-16.0°C

The warmest is 25.5°C the coldest is -20.4°C

La Mauricie can even be 12.3°C in the winter!

In summer it goes from 9.6°C to 25.5°C.

Visitor information

• Park website
• Visitors Centre. Multi-media displays and historical background about the trees, wildlife, and early explorer interaction with First Nations people. (updated Dec 2017)

Get in

La Mauricie National Park is about 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Shawinigan, about 45 km (28 mi) north of the city of Trois-Rivières, 195 km (121 mi) northeast of Montreal, and 160 km (99 mi) east of Quebec City.

It is bordered by the Saint-Maurice River to the east and the Matawin River to the north. It is accessible from the villages of Saint-Jean-des-Piles and Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc. Secondary access is also possible by Saint-Gérard-des-Laurentides.

• Saint-Jean-des-Piles entrance: Highway 55, exit 226 via Chemin du parc national road sign
• Saint-Mathieu entrance: Highway 55, exit 217 via Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc
• Park Bus, ☏ +1-800-928-7101. During the summer, Park Bus runs shuttle buses from Montreal Tourist Information Center at 1255 Peel Street (metro station Peel is 200 m away). Departure 08:00 (arrive 30 min before), arrival at Rivière-à-la-Pêche service centre at ~10:30. Return departure 15:30, arrival ~18:00. Adults $45, students and seniors $41, children $23. (updated Dec 2017)

Fees and permits

Daily (2024):

• Adult $9.00
• Senior $7.75
• Youth and children free
• Family/group $17.50

Seasonal passes are available for less than the cost of 5 day passes.

Fishing permits (2024):

• Daily $20

Parks Canada Passes

The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places that charge a daily entrance fee. It provides faster entry and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Prices for 2024 (taxes included):

• Family/group (up to 7 people in a vehicle): $151.25
• Children and youth (0-17): free
• Adult (18-64): $75.25
• Senior (65+): $64.50

The Cultural Access Pass: people who have received their Canadian citizenship in the past year can qualify for free entry to some sites.

Winter activities

(includes admission fees, Parks Canada Discovery pass does not apply) (2024):

Cross-country skiing

• Adult or senior: daily $10, seasonal $99
• Youth and children under 18: free

Snowshoes, crampons, and hiking pokes available for rent.

See

• Lac-Édouard. A beautiful beach and a playground for children. Interpretive trail of Lac-Étienne. This area meets, in addition, the standards of universal access. (updated Dec 2017)
• Shawenegan Picnic Area. A network of short hiking trails. In addition to swimming, boat rental, snack bar. (updated Dec 2017)
• Wapizagonke. This day trip includes 13 km (8 miles) of canoeing on Lake Wapizagonke and a minimum of 10 km (6 miles) of hiking. No portages. Spectacular views of Lakes Wapizagonke and Anticagamac, and the most beautiful waterfalls in the park. (updated Dec 2017)

Do

Lac de la Tourbière (Lake Bog)

• The park is a popular location for camping, canoeing and kayaking.
• There are many trails for hiking or snow-shoeing.
• The park offers a canoe camping circuit allowing access to a dozen lakes in the hinterland connected by many portages. This circuit allows accessing to some 200 camping sites that are accessible only by boat.
• A drive through the park is about 64 km and provides spectacular views of the Saint-Maurice River and Lac Wapizagonke, and many opportunities for camping, swimming, picnics, canoe rentals, hiking through the forest, and wildlife sighting.

Buy

• Canoe, kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, locationcanot@gmail.com. Rental reservations available through the website. New and used equipment for sale. $43-49 per day. (updated Dec 2017)

Sleep

Lodging

• Domaine Wabenaki – Andrew, ☏ +1 819 537 4555, info@info-nature.ca. Stay in Le Chalet Wabenaki or La Maison Andrew. (updated Dec 2017)
• oTENTik, ☏ +1 519-826-539 (outside of North America), toll-free: +1-877-737-3783. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. A cross between a tent and a rustic cabin, Parks Canada oTENTik tents offer a blend of comfort and outdoor adventure. 13 4-season units are available at the Rivière à la Pêche campground. 12 3-season units are available at the Mistagance campground. The F-7 site of the Rivière à la Pêche campground has universal access. $148 per night (taxes included). (updated Jan 2024)

Camping

• Camping reservations are available through the Parks Canada website.

Camping fees per night (2024):

• Unserviced with toilets and showers $28.50
• Serviced with electricity $36.00

• 1 Camping de la Rivière-à-la-Pêche, ☏ + 1 877 737-3783. Campground with 224 sites, 62 of which have electricity. This is the campsite furthest from the swimming beaches, however it allows quick access to hiking and cycling trails. It is also accessible during the winter season. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Camping Mistagance, ☏ + 1 877 737-3783. 108-site campsite, one kilometre from the Shewenegan picnic (updated Nov 2021)
• 3 Camping Wapizagonke, ☏ + 1 877 737-3783. Leave: 14:00. 219 sites including 29 accessible only on foot. Several beaches are accessible from the campsite. A convenience store is located at the Wapizagonke picnic, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the campsite. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Gîtes Wabenaki et Andrew, 3000, Chemin du Lac-à-La-Pêche, ☏ +1 819 536-3180. Leave: 12:00. The Wabenaki and Andrew lodges are not accessible by car. To get there, it is necessary to hike 3.5 km (2.2 mi) on skis, snowshoes, canoe, bike or on foot. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

• 1 Réserve faunique Mastigouche (Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve), ☏ +1 819-265-2075. A wildlife reserve in Quebec administered by SEPAQ and dedicated to the conservation, development and use of wildlife as well as the practice of recreational activities. This reserve is located north of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, Saint-Paulin and Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Réserve faunique du Saint-Maurice (Saint-Maurice Wildlife Reserve), 2050, chemin du Lac-Édouard, ☏ +1 819-646-5687, legoeland@xplornet.com. Park administered by Sépaq (Quebec national parks) on the west bank of the Saint-Maurice river and north of the Matawin river. This park offers chalet rental, small game hunting, fishing, camping and ready-to-camp services. The main entrance is the Mékinac bridge which spans the Saint-Maurice river. (updated Nov 2021)
• 3 Trois-Rives, ☏ +1 819-265-2075. Since 1972, the municipality of Trois-Rives (formerly designated "Municipalité Boucher" has five hamlets or villages: Saint-Joseph-de-Mékinac, Rivière-Matawin, Olscamps, Grande-Anse and part of Rivière-aux-Rats. Sa economic vocation is focused on forestry, agriculture and recreational tourism activities (vacationing, hunting & fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, mountain biking, etc.). The bridge erected at Matawin (over the Saint-Maurice river) gives privileged access to the Zec du Chapeau-de-Paille and the Saint-Maurice wildlife reserve. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac, ☏ + 1. Municipality split in two by the Saint-Maurice river. Since the middle of the 19th century, its history has been dependent on logging in Moyen and Haute-Mauricie. Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac then served as a relay station for workers, particularly log drivers and derived industries. Saint-Roch-de-Mékinac is the soul of navigation on the Saint-Maurice. Perched on a promontory, the village offers a panoramic view of the Saint-Maurice valley. Along the east bank of the Saint-Maurice River, the breathtaking cliffs are admired by tourists, boaters and motorists. When the forests are adorned with warm colored leaves in autumn, the valley offers a natural and magical spectacle. (updated Oct 2021)
• 5 Shawinigan, ☏ +1 819 536-7200, information@shawinigan.ca. Principal city of the Middle Mauricie. Shawinigan is designated "City of energy" by virtue of its hydroelectric and industrial past (aluminum smelters, paper mills, chemical products factories, etc.). Shawinigan marks the beginning of the Moyen-Mauricie. This town offers many attractions for recreational and tourist activities: Shawinigan River Park, Captain's promenade (Shawinigan-sud sector), Grand-Mère hydroelectric power station, its old churches, the Shawinigan arts centre, and the Cité de l'énergie, located on île Melville. (updated Nov 2021)
• 6 Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. Locality whose economic activities are focused on recreational and tourism activities (vacationing, hunting & fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, mountain biking, etc.) and forestry. (updated Nov 2021)
• 7 Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, ☏ +1 819 536-7200. Located in the northern suburbs of Shawinigan, this municipality is centred on a residential vocation and on recreational tourism activities thanks to the Saint-Mathieu recreation park and the Mauricie National Park reception centre. (updated Nov 2021)